Martin Luther King Day - 17th January 2011 - an official government-sanctioned holiday

Americans on each third Monday of January honor the life and achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., (1929–1968).
Evangelical Pastor, Activist, Hero, Icon"King's unique vision reshaped the landscape of American politics and society. In his brief life, he redefined what it means to be black in the United States, and, by extension, what it means to be an American. "
Life MagazineRead more: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1704734_1520199,00.html#ixzz1cUu3bhg9

 http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html##ixzz1cUrj1f4E

http://www.america.gov/st/pubs-english/2003/June/20050608091735pssnikwad0.4134333.html

http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html#

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

King, Jr., Martin Luther Resources :http://free.ed.gov/keywords.cfm?keyword_id=954

Rare and unpublished photos of the Civil Rights Movement:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1704734,00.html

Mass Movement
Dr. King addresses thousands of supporters gathered near the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, on May 17, 1957 during a "Prayer Pilgrimage" organized by the civil rights movement

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/martin_luther_king/1.html

We Shall Overcome

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/players.htm

Dr. King's Christian faith

impacted his leadership in the civil rights movement.

With the successful end of the Montgomery bus boycott, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in order to take the civil rights struggle and his nonviolent message throughout the South. One of his most trusted aides urged him to drop the word Christian from the new organization. It was argued that such an explicit religious reference would alienate white Northern liberals, whose support would be crucial in the years ahead. King was adamant, however, and the word Christian remained. He also insisted that civil rights participants be guided by Christian principles. For example, volunteers in the Birmingham campaign were required to sign a "Commitment Card":

HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF--MY PERSON AND MY BODY--TO THE NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT.

THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation-not victory.
3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.
4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
6. OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

Religious Freedom Day

"...Schools do more than train children's minds. They also help to nurture their souls by reinforcing the values they learn at home and in their communities. I believe that one of the best ways we can help out schools to do this is by supporting students' rights to voluntarily practice their religious beliefs, including prayer in schools.... For more than 200 years, the First Amendment has protected our religious freedom and allowed many faiths to flourish in our homes, in our work place and in our schools. Clearly understood and sensibly applied, it works."

President Clinton
May 30, 1998

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html

The FREE TO SPEAK pamphlet summarizes the U.S. Department of Education's Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.

Religious Freedom Day - 16th January 2011

The Pilgrim Founders reached the shores of Plymouth in search of a new beginning for their lives and for the generations to come in the area of religious freedom. They sailed to the New World in order to put an end to intimidation, oppression and persecution because of their religious beliefs.
Today, Sunday the 16th January, is once again Religious Freedom Day in the States by proclamation of the present American President, Barack Obama.
The fundamental principle of religious freedom is enshrined in the Constitution's First Amendment.
Here is an excerpt from the President´s Proclamation on the 14th January:

"The writ of the Founding Fathers has upheld the ability of Americans to worship and practice religion as they choose, including the right to believe in no religion at all. However, these liberties are not self-sustaining, and require a stalwart commitment by each generation to preserve and apply them. Throughout our Nation's history, our founding ideal of religious freedom has served as an example to the world.


"Though our Nation has sometimes fallen short of the weighty task of ensuring freedom of religious expression and practice, we have remained a Nation in which people of different faiths coexist with mutual respect and equality under the law. America's unshakeable commitment to religious freedom binds us together as a people, and the strength of our values underpins a country that is tolerant, just, and strong.


"My Administration continues to defend the cause of religious freedom in the United States and around the world. At home, we vigorously protect the civil rights of Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs."
http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2011/01/in-his-proclamation-for-religious-freedom-day-on-sunday-obama-condemns-recent-attacks-against-christ.html

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/religious-freedom/religious-freedom-day-3.html